Installing pedals - help please

ScottyXTUK
ScottyXTUK Posts: 38
edited June 2013 in Workshop
Hi

I've just replaced my Shimano M520 Clipless SPD MTB Pedals with these:
Shimano XTR PD-M980 SPD Clipless Race Pedals

shimano-xtr-pd-m980-spd-clipless-race-pedals-59105.jpg

I have put them on the bike but apparantly I need to tighten them with an 8mm allen key. However I do not have one but the pedals are on and I've tightened them as much as I can on the thread side. I am due to do a ride tomorrow morning and now I'm concerned that the pedals will fall off if I go for a ride.

Do I need to get the 8mm allen key first then tighten them up before I ride or do you think I will be ok to just go for a ride?

How likely am I going to run into problems with the pedals as they are?

Thanks for any input and I need this answering pretty quick as I have a ride tomorrow morning!!

Thanks

Comments

  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    How did you get the old ones off?

    How have you tightened them up so far?
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    On Strava.{/url}
  • ScottyXTUK
    ScottyXTUK Posts: 38
    I used a 15mm wrench to get them off but the new ones are a different size. I have tightened them as much as I can by hand so far.
  • turnerjohn
    turnerjohn Posts: 1,069
    how you get by without an 8mm alley key :shock:
    most multi-tools have the fitment...any joy ?

    oh and no I wouldnt ride without them tight !
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    Don't ride them if they're not tight. Put your old ones back on.
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    On Strava.{/url}
  • Scotty-Gee
    Scotty-Gee Posts: 156
    I wouldn't worry about them falling off if they aren't tight, my concern would be damaging the threads on the cranks for future use.
  • hstiles
    hstiles Posts: 414
    You can't tighten them enough by hand. You need an old style 8mm crank tool. A multi tool won;t let you get enough leverage to tighten them properly.
  • Yossie
    Yossie Posts: 2,600
    Agree - they won't fall off but you may jazz the threads on your cranks leading to a world of problems.

    Head out and buy some decent allen keys/allen bits and socket (Teng are really good and well priced if you are poor and can't go for Snap On) on Monday.

    Also be sure to put some copperslip (or, at the miminum some moly) on the threads to make taking them off easier).
  • ScottyXTUK
    ScottyXTUK Posts: 38
    Cheers guys

    Decided to abort riding today (shame as the weather was lovely) and went to B&Q and bought a multi tool with the 8mm allen key on it.

    It only took a second to tighten them up and they feel secure now (well I hope they are!)

    Hopefully as I'm off work tomorrow I will be able to test them out on a ride.
  • dgunthor
    dgunthor Posts: 644
    hand tight is fine, they don;t need to be stupidly tight. they are threaded so that they tighten when pedalling, they won't undo when pedalling

    make sure you grease the threads if you want to get them out again though :-)

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